A quick note about Sweetbriar from yours truly. Unfortunately because of my ridiculous schedule at school, the joys and headaches of graduating and the fact that it’s 2:30am, I cannot give Sweetbriar the proper introduction they deserve. What I can tell you is that these guys truly are some talented young men who have been working hard for years to make it in this industry. They have a catchy rock/soul sound that no one can deny and play regularly in Charlottesville with some shows in Harrisonburg, Richmond and Fredericksburg. They recently won a battle of the bands at Penn State which helped them fund the recording of some kick ass songs. I’ve seen them perform several times and can say that from my own experience, they never disappoint. They have certainly ingrained themselves in my college memories and hope to carry that over for years to come.
1. Could you tell us a little about the band members?
Stephen Drolshagen is our lead singer, and is currently attending Piedmont Virginia Community College. He’s a pack-a-day chain smoker, a sandwich and movie aficionado, and the laziest son of a bitch we know. He can play a mean harmonica, and dabbles in piano as well. Basically, his whole life is music. We don’t like him, but goddammit, do we respect him. Seriously though, he’s a hell of a good singer, and he IS the voice of Sweetbriar.
Jonathan Drolshagen is one of our lead guitarists. He graduated from UVa in 2007 and manages three different locations of popular Five Guys burger joint. If Stephen is the soul of Sweetbriar, Jon is the heart. He writes most of the songs and almost all of the lyrics, in addition to being the oldest, most responsible, and primary contact/booking/businessman of the group. He earned the nickname “Pudge” in high school, and even though he’s been trim and thin for years, we still tell him he’s fat for old time’s sake.
Matt Coppock is one of the founding members of the band, and he drums like no other whenever he can make it down from graduate school at Penn State. He graduated from the University of Richmond in 2007, and holds the title of the best looking member of the band. Matt’s also a talented songwriter, and plays both guitar and mandolin, in addition to background vocals. Offstage, he’s the best beer pong player you’ve ever seen in your whole life.
John Byrnes graduated from UVa in 2007 and now dedicates his whole life to rock n roll. He’s truly a gifted guitar player, but his real weapon is his ability to consume massive quantities of alcohol. That’s not a joke. But seriously, he can write amazing songs in any genre, ranging from rap to folk to progressive metal. His nickname is “Toots,” and is noted for his trademark cutoff t-shirts and cab driver hat, as well as the ability to perform the coveted over-the-head, behind-the-back guitar solo.
Dan Brandao is the only current UVa student, and will graduate in 2009. He plays bass and provides another harmony. When he isn’t wearing too-tight jeans with a white shirt and black tie onstage, he enjoys Parcheesi, cigars, and haberdashery. He’s completely out of place in the band, and actually likes Fall Out Boy. We try to keep him a dirty little secret.
2. Why the name “Sweetbriar?”
This actually isn’t that good of a story. Matt, Jonathan, Stephen and Dan all went to high school together. We had always practiced at Matt’s house, which was on Sweetbriar Drive in Fredricksburg, VA. We were “Sweetbriar Drive” until around 2006, when we decided to drop the “Drive,” because we thought a shorter name would be catchier and easier to remember. On a side note, if we ever change our name from Sweetbriar, we would absolutely be “Stormy Steve and the Teardrops.”
3. If you could pick one of your songs and call it your favorite, which one would it be and why?
Dan and Matt picked “Señorita.” It’s catchy as hell, the fans have been having a good time dancing to it, and the harmonies sound great. They would definitely vote for it if we had to put a single out right now.
Byrnes picked “Ride On Down To Georgia,” which is the most complicated song we play, and one that he penned himself. It has some beautiful chords and an unusual song structure, including a prolonged guitar solo (who would’ve guessed?), and swings from soft and pretty verses to intense choruses and breakdowns.
Jonathan and Stephen both picked “Time, Sweet Time,” the newest song in the Sweetbriar lineup. It’s a little different from the songs we usually write, and Jonathan gets to play piano on it. Lyrically, it’s the best writing we’ve put to music yet, and when we jam on it we have the option of throwing in an interlude with a couple of recognizable covers, so it’s a versatile addition to our set.
4. What are your goals for the future of the band?
Short term goals include going into the studio early this summer to cut a full-length debut record, and hopefully going on a brief tour along the east coast late summer to promote it and getting “Steva the Diva” to help set up and take down equipment. After that, Matt and Dan finish their respective degrees next year, and we’re gonna get serious spreading the rock-and-soul love that only Sweetbriar can offer.
Their upcoming shows include:
Benefit Concert for Students Helping Honduras w/ Tim Be Told- Satellite Ballroom, April 24, 8pm- Charlottesville VA
Randolf Macon University- May 10, 8pm- Ashland, VA
Princeton University- May 13, 8pm- Princeton, NJ
Uncle Charlie’s Smokehouse- May 31, 10pm- Charlottesville, VA
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Tags: Ashland VA, Battle of the Bands, charlottesville, Coupes, Dan Brandao, Fall Out Boy, Five Guys, Fredricksburg, Harrisonburg, John Byrnes, Jonathan Drolshagen, live music, local music, Matt Coppock, Penn State Battle of the Bands, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Princeton, Princeton University, Randolf Macon University, Richmond, rock n' roll, soul, Stephen Drolshagen, sweetbriar, Tim Be Told, University of Richmond, University of Virginia, UVA, VA
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